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Severe Thunderstorms, Excessive Rain and Heat Hazards

A Moderate Risk of severe thunderstorms (level 4 of 5) is in the outlook across portions of the Midwest today. Damaging winds, a few tornadoes and frequent lightning with heavy rainfall are in the forecast. Meanwhile, dangerous heat across the southern Plains into the Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic and Northeast will expand into Friday. Risk for wildfires for the central Rockies and Sacramento Valley. Read More >

Overview

Late in the evening on Wednesday, May 11, thunderstorms moved across south central South Dakota, while others developed over the Black Hills and moved northeast overnight. Portions of the western South Dakota plains were hit by multiple thunderstorms overnight, which brought damaging winds and large hail. The most severe wind damage occurred in the Red Owl area, where several outbuildings were substantially damaged or completely destroyed. A damage survey determined the damage was caused by very strong straight-line winds, not a tornado. While the highest measured wind gust was 76 mph, the structure damage indicated wind gusts were higher than 80 mph. 

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